CULTURE GECKO
CoyWolf Explores Symbolism and Allegories Against a Post Apocalyptic Alternate Universe Culminating in a Rich Tapestry Providing a Immerse Theatrical Experience
By Ezekiel McAdams
October 16 2025
Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre launched its latest season with CoyWolf in cooperation and partnership with Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre.
CoyWolf is directed by Sydney Wolf and is written by and stars Colin Wolf alongside CJ Gordon, Isabelle Katoogoo James-Walker and Jesse Fulcher Gagnon.
The production runs from October 16-26th 2025 at La Troupe Du Jour’s Studio 914 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
This is the second iteration of CoyWolf that was originally produced in fall 2023 debuting September 20th at the Guild Theatre in Whitehorse. The production then toured throughout the Yukon that fall.
The play’s premise is an alternate universe fable of anthropomorphic coyotes, wolves and coywolves engaged in a war between humans over their existence survival and land rights that is an allegory for Indigenous and Metis culture and history.
CoyWolf is a beautifully realized, thought provoking piece of theatre that is anchored by wonderful worldbuilding, powerful nuanced performances and direction amalgamating into hopeful thriller that allows the audience to reflect on a fiction narrative juxtaposed the real historical events and accuracies of our world.
Colin Wolf’s performance as Isidor balances an eager naivety desperately wanting a purpose that is both relatable and familiar. Wolf shines as the central character bringing an infectious charm.
Gordon plays multiple characters from Artemis, Mutt, Cop and two female characters, Dina and Auntie injecting an nuanced and distinct cadence and physicality to each character that is both magnetic, mesmerizing and striking. Gordon’s performance is the anchor of the production stealing the show with multifaceted characterizations that is award worthy because of how easily Gordon slips into each role effortlessly.
Gordon plays Artemis with a cadence that is embedded with dulcet tones that could be easily mistaken as familiar audiobook narrator. Gordon imbues Artemis with a fatherly nature that is comforting, protective with an inquisitive nature.
Gordon’s performance as Mutt is visceral, scrappy strung together with a cynicism, pessimistic outlook that is dangerous, familiar and heartbreaking as Gordon wears Mutt’s weariness on his sleeve.
It is Gordon’s performance as Auntie that oozes a protective, compassionate cocoon that beams with comfort, strength and a lived experience.
With the character of Dina, Gordon brings a quiet softness that is different from Auntie in its soothing, lulling nature that makes her feel like an old friend.
Finally, Gordon has a minor role as Cop that is terrorizing, jarring and kinetic that is akin to a boogeyman.
James-Walker performance as Sigil, the nurse and healer is the beating heart of the production. James Walker radiates with a beacon of warmth, sincerity and the cadence of an old soul who is able to see the true nature of the reality of the world before Isidor can comprehend the complexities of it. James-Walker is able to push and give strength to the character of Isidor without taking away the agency of her character, Sigil.
Finally Fulcher Gagnon’s performance as the voice of the town crier transmitting across the forest is a myriad of being ominous yet trusting.
Director Sydney Wolf navigates an intense, thrilling stillness integrated with nuanced performances from cast. Sydney Wolf effectively captures an ascetic that is both heartfelt, enchanting against an unpredictable, tumultuous backdrop.
Sydney Wolf also serves as prop design bringing a very naturalistic sensibility to the surreal and heightened world.
Colin Wolf’s script created a unique visceral landscape with nuanced characters and a alternate world that is relatable as it is different. Wolf’s utilization of analogies and metaphors of indigenous and Metis culture is powerful yet never feels heavy handed.
Annie Johnsgaard set is this ethereal landscape of trees, rocks that makes the wild forest wilderness a character in itself. Johnsgaard’s set is a wonderful mix of surreal fantasy with naturalistic beauty of a time from another place.
Jensine Emeline’s costume design is a hybrid hodgepodge borrowing from Scottish, Indigenous and Metis culture while making it feel unique and new. The costumes strike the balance of natural realism with tinges of surreal alternate universe with the touches of furry wolf, coyote and coywolf paws that adorn the actor’s hands.
Sam Fleming’s lighting design is evocative, transformative and transfixing that creates a character in of itself with the lights creating the illusion of fire, chaos, terror while balancing the lighter, hopeful moments throughout the production.
Fulcher Gagnon also wears multiple hats in the production doing composing, sound design and stage management.
Fulcher’s composition and sound design weaves a delicate balance of tranquility and tumultuous sensibility.
Finally Jonathan Cestnick as production manager and Roxanne Dick as Gordon Tootoosis’s artistic director provide the support and stability of making the production run smooth and seamless.
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CoyWolf is an unforgettable theatrical experience that showcases a fantastic sense of worldbuilding, powerful, engaging performances with direction, costume, set, sound and lighting design that makes this production must see theatre.
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CoyWolf from Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre with cooperation and partnership with Thumbs Up Good Work Theatre runs from October 16-23rd 2025 at La Troupe Du Jour’s Studio 914 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Tickets can be bought online here or at the venue itself.